Seamer's speed date

THE first time you meet a bloke he doesn't normally lean down, grab your leg and help you win a $40,000 race.

But that was exactly what happened for jockey Scott Seamer who met trainer Rodney Northam in the mounting yard five minutes before the pair combined to win the Tursa Employment and Training Grafton Guineas (1600m) with Okane.

Seamer got a last-minute call from Northam to ride in the Grafton Guineas on Monday, and after checking his schedule was quick to accept the invitation to partner the Fusaichi Pegasus gelding yesterday.

It was a fruitful decision, with Seamer producing a brilliantly timed run to gun down leader Emvoss and nail a long-neck win in the feature event for three-year-olds.

“Rod rang me at the last minute on Monday to book me for the ride, so it's been a good start to the partnership,” Seamer said.

Trainer Northam, based at Scone, was thrilled to strike a dry track with his charge after a recent flop in Sydney on a heavy track.

Ironically the hardness of the track cost him with his South Grafton Cup hope Prior Baron last Sunday.